Sword 1/72 Fairey Gannet AEW.3
I thoroughly enjoyed this build.
My second Sword kit and it went together really well.
You need to take a little care but it's worth it.
Primed with Tamiya Neutral Grey.
Painted with ColourCoats Sky Type S, Extra Dark Sea Grey, FAA/RAF Yellow, Tamiya Nato Black, Rubber Black, Revell Flat Aluminium, Xtreme Metals Steel, Burnt Metaland Alclad Pale Burnt Metal
Washed lighly with Flory Dark Dirt and Citadel Nuln Oil
Finished with Windsor & Newton Satin Varnish.
Aerial rigged with Uschi Van Der Rosten Standard Rigging.
Thanks for looking,
Cheers,
Alistair
Amazing result out of the demanding Sword kit, Alistair!
Love the Gannet distinctive looks, which you captured really well!
Thanks Spiros,
It was a fairly easy build, just a little care needed.
Certainly not the trial that some of the reviews would have you believe.
Cheers,
Alistair
This looks really amazing @alistairfgauld - I really love this colour scheme - you've build an old kit up really really well.
Thanks so much.
That is very kind of you.
Cheers,
Alistair
Nice, this is a beautiful build. Great finish too.
Thanks very much. Very kind of you.
Cheers,
Alistair
An excellent build, Alistair @alistairfgauld
Not the most elegant plane by itself, but your quality build makes it look great.
Thanks so much.
Cheers,
Alistair
After the 1963 SEATO exercises were over, the Allied fleet came into Manila (USN, RN, RAN, RNZN were the big ones). It included two RN carriers (IIRC Hermes and Ocean; I'm sure of Hermes, unsure of Ocean) Anyway, the bigger one had Supermarine Scimitars and DeHavilland Sea Venoms, and so the 19-year old Aeronut caught a ride from Sangley Point NAS out to the ship, to see them in person. They were very cool (the Scimitar is a lot bigger than most people think - about the size of an F-4 Phantom or close). They also had two of these AEW Gannets. That airplane is actually uglier in person than as a model! (Also a Very Big Airplane) It may be those airplanes seemed big because the carrier they were on seemed small (having just been on Coral Sea).
Anyway, very nice work on this airplane that's so ugly it's "cool."
Thanks very much Tom.
The Gannet is fairly big, it's almost as long as a Spey Phantom or a Buccaneer with the air-brake open.
There's not much in it in 1/72
Cheers,
Alistair
Very fine work Alistair! I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder but to me this is one ugly aircraft.
Thanks very much,
Cheers,
Alistair
Nice work, Alistair! Great subject.
Many Thanks for your kind words.
Cheers,
Alistair
Excellent model. Were the nose stripes on the fuel tanks painted?
Thanks very much.
The stripes on the nose tanks were masked and sprayed.
Cheers,
Alistair
Intriguing plane with innovative design ideas . Another Gem by Alistair.
I have one in my « not sure if I’ll keep it « Stash but your coment on the build Ease is encouraging.
Thanks for showing
Thanks so much.
It is a nice kit to build it just needs dry fitting and care.
Cheers,
Alistair
This building is stunning! You did a mighty fine job!
Thank you very much.
Cheers,
Alistair
Yes that is a very funny looking aircraft. That being said, your rendition of it is nothing short of excellent
Thanks so much for your kind comment.
Cheers,
Alistair
WOW! Nice result with this great looking kit, Alistair. It looks like you did keep you busy
Thank you so much.
Cheers,
Alistair
Excellent build, Alistair. I have to say that that is the nicest model of a Gannet I have yet seen posted online. The color scheme is really sharp - I like the contrast between the upper and lower surface camo and the yellow-orange bands on the spinner really set it all off, especially with the yellow design on the fin. This is very fine airbrush work and decal application in 1/72. The weathering is also perfect, IMO - it highlights the finely engraved detail very subtly.
Thank you very much.
It really is incredibly kind of you to be so complimentary.
Cheers,
Alistair
The Gannet is a great looking plane, and your model is top-notch, the colour scheme has been executed perfectly. I have vague memories of building a Frog kit of this in the early sixties and hanging it from my bedroom ceiling, those were the days...
Many Thanks for you kind words.
Cheers,
Alistair
Polar Aviation ( Long gone) had a Gannet in their collection and they'd start the bird with cartridges for open houses. Something akin to using two over sized shot gun shells. You'd hear a bang followed by two black clouds of smoke and the turbines would start . Also, they'd have the wings folded up in three sections per wing. Apparently, British carriers had lower ceilings on the decks below, which required this complex wing arrangement for storing the aircraft below deck. They would unfold the wings and then start the bird.
The Chief pilot at Polar given his experience with other Warbirds, describe the Gannet like flying a Grumman TBF. It more than likely was the last of the breed to go flying. Also, it was a lot fun seeing this British lady fly in the circuit.
Alister, you woke up a few memories with this beautiful model of yours. These kits don't often get seen built up and yours is the exception. Some strong work in the building and painting dept.
Thank you for sharing.
Two thumbs up.
Thanks so much that is extremely kind.
Cheers,
Alistair